Philadelphia 76ers' Evan Turner, left, is defended by Indiana Pacers' Paul George during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Friday, Dec. 14, 2012, in Indianapolis. The Pacers defeated the 76ers 95-85. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Milwaukee Bucks' Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, from Cameroon, tries to poke the ball away from Cleveland Cavaliers' C.J. Miles (0) in the third quarter of an NBA basketball game on Friday, Dec. 14, 2012, in Cleveland. The Bucks won 90-96. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

Indiana Pacers' George Hill, left, takes the basketball from teammate Roy Hibbert, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers Friday, Dec. 14, 2012, in Indianapolis. Hill was defended by Philadelphia 76ers' Nick Young. The Pacers defeated the 76ers 95-85. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Houston Rockets' Chandler Parsons (25) and James Harden (13) celebrate during a timeout after teammate Toney Douglas hit a three-point shot during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics Friday, Dec. 14, 2012, in Houston. The Rockets beat the Celtics 101-89. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Nick Collison (4) loses control of the ball in front of Sacramento Kings forward Jason Thompson in the third quarter of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Friday, Dec. 14, 2012. Oklahoma City won 113-103. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Utah Jazz point guard Jamaal Tinsley (6) and teammates take a moment of silence before an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns Friday, Dec. 14, 2012, on behalf of the school shooting victims in Connecticut earlier today and their families in Phoenix. (Rick Scuteri/AP Photos)

Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Scott Brooks gestures during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings in Oklahoma City, Friday, Dec. 14, 2012. Oklahoma City won 113-103. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, center, with Steve Case, left, former co-founder of AOL, depart after an NBA basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Washington Wizards Friday, Dec. 14, 2012 in Washington. The Lakers won 102-96. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

“We played poorly and they played great,” Carlisle said. “I don’t know how else to sum it up. It’s as simple as that.”

Not quite that simple, really.

Carlisle made sure to credit Toronto coach Dwane Casey, his former assistant in Dallas, for his efforts on the sideline.

“After tonight, I think it’s very, very clear that whatever problems the Raptors franchise have are completely unrelated to coaching,” Carlisle said. “Dwane Casey is doing a great job with a roster that’s beat up. I just have so much respect for him.”

Casey worked for the Mavericks for three seasons, and was part of Carlisle’s staff when Dallas won the NBA title in 2011. Casey took over the Raptors last season, but has endured questions about his status as Toronto stumbled to a 4-19 start.

It’s the franchise’s longest winning streak since November 1996, when it won 11 in a row as the Seattle SuperSonics.

The Kings didn’t go away easily, closing to 103-98 after trailing by as many as 24 in the fourth quarter. Isaiah Thomas scored all 26 of his points in the final 13½ minutes. He had four 3-pointers, a layup and a jumper during a 23-4 comeback attempt by Sacramento.

Thunder coach Scott Brooks had already emptied his bench, but ended up calling timeout to put starters back in and hold off the Kings.

Tyreke Evans had 21 points and Jason Thompson finished with 15 for Sacramento, which was outrebounded 43-29.

Durant paid tribute to the victims of the school shooting earlier in the day by writing “Newtown, CT” on one shoe.

■ Nets 107, Pistons 105

2OTS

NEW YORK — Joe Johnson made a jumper from just inside the arc as time expired in the second overtime, giving Brooklyn the victory.

Johnson finished with 28 points for the Nets, scoring their final five in the second extra period. Gerald Wallace added 25 points and 10 rebounds.

Deron Williams scored 17 points and Andray Blatche had 16 for the Nets, who blew a 17-point lead, missed their first six shots in the second overtime, and still managed to win their second straight.

Brandon Knight scored 22 points and Rodney Stuckey had 19 for the Pistons, who dropped their third straight.

■ Rockets 101, Celtics 89

HOUSTON — James Harden scored 21 points and Greg Smith added 20 to help the Rockets get the win.

The Rockets used a 9-2 run capped by a 3-pointer by Harden to go up 52-47 in the third. They never trailed after that and cruised to the victory.

Paul Pierce led Boston with 18 points after scoring a season-high 34 in the Celtics’ double-overtime win at Dallas on Wednesday.

Harden, who had scored 30 or more in his last two games, got off to a slow start before heating up in the third quarter. Chandler Parsons added 15 points and Omer Asik had nine points and 10 rebounds for the Rockets, who won their second straight.

Rajon Rondo had 15 points, 13 assists and four steals for Boston, but also committed seven turnovers.

■ Pacers 95, 76ers 85

INDIANAPOLIS — Paul George scored 28 points and George Hill had a triple-double to lead the Pacers past the short-handed 76ers.

George scored 14 points during a third-quarter flurry that changed the game. Hill had 15 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds. Roy Hibbert finished with 19 points and a season-high 13 rebounds.

Philadelphia played without guard Jrue Holiday, who sat out with a sprained left foot. Evan Turner scored 20 points and reserve Spencer Hawes had 18 for the 76ers.

After giving up six points to Philadelphia in the final 3.8 seconds of the first half, the Pacers used a 16-4 third-quarter run to take a 60-52 lead and never trailed again.

Hill originally was credited with nine rebounds, but an official scoring change after the game gave him the triple-double.

Slowed by foul trouble, Dwight Howard finished with 12 points and 14 rebounds, and the Lakers improved to 10-14.

Cartier Martin scored a season-high 21 points for Washington, which fell to an NBA-worst 3-17. But the Wizards led by as many nine points in the first half and, after trailing by as many 16 in the second, closed to 92-89 on Nene’s free throws with 5½ minutes left in the game.

With Washington within five and 4½ minutes left, Martell Webster was called for a foul on Bryant on a 3-point attempt, even though a replay appeared to show no contact.

Bryant made all three free throws, and the Lakers were on their way.

■ Magic 99, Warriors 85

ORLANDO, Fla. — J.J. Redick had 16 points and Nikola Vucevic added 12 points and 17 rebounds to help Orlando hold on for the win

The Magic led by as many as 20 before their lead was trimmed to 10 points late. But they connected on nine 3-pointers to help secure the win. Andrew Nicholson added 15 points and nine rebounds.

The victory snapped a four-game home losing streak for the Magic, who have won eight of their past nine against the Warriors.

Stephen Curry led Golden State with 25 points and David Lee had 24.

Golden State had won five in a row. The Warriors conclude their seven-game road trip Saturday in Atlanta.

Kyrie Irving scored 26 points for Cleveland, which committed a season-high 27 turnovers. The Cavaliers have lost seven of eight and 11 of 13.

Ellis, who scored 20 points in the second half, was 12 for 24 from the field.

Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao, the league’s leading rebounder, left the game in the first half after sustaining a contusion to his lower left leg. X-rays taken at halftime were negative and Varejao came back in the game early in the third quarter. He had eight points and 18 rebounds.

■ T-Wolves 113, Hornets 102

NEW ORLEANS — Nikola Pekovic scored a season-high 31 points, Andrei Kirilenko had 21 points and 11 rebounds, and the Timberwolves won their third straight game.

Pekovic was 14 for 18 from the field, scoring almost exclusively inside where Minnesota finished with a whopping 70-42 scoring advantage despite an off night for Kevin Love, who made only 4 of 18 shots.